Name: Kalob Grady

AKA/Nickname: Grady, Special K

Date of Birth: June 9/1994

Hometown: Lapasse, Ontario

About me:
I grew up on the banks of the Ottawa River. The River has held a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember. As a child, I enjoyed paddling a kayak on flat water. The summer I turned 10, my world would be forever changed. This was the summer when I first kayaked whitewater. By the time I turned 13, I had developed a solid foundation in paddling and my skill sets all started to come together. I spent that whole summer following raft trips down the river, tagging along with the Keener program and simply spending as much time on the water as I possibly could. It was at this time that I realized I lived at one of the greatest places on earth for Freestyle Kayaking and my passion for the sport flourished. In the years that have followed, I've committed to the sport and dedicated all of my energy and effort into kayaking.

Favorite style of paddling: Big Wave Freestyle

Favorite place to paddle: Ottawa River during spring flood is unprecedented.

Favorite wave to surf: Gladiator, Ottawa River

Favorite rapid: Demshitz Drop, Rio Nevados

Favorite move: Stern Tap Airscrews

Favorite Trip/expedition: Had the pleasure of joining a mission down to the Rio Baker last winter. The trip, the crew, the river, the environment was amazing. Deep set in a Patagonia, it is a must for all big water connoisseurs.

Kayaking Achievements:
-Winning National Team Trials at 16.

-Placing 6th at the World Championships in Plattling, Germany.

-Kayaking the entire 226 mile section of the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, from Lee's Ferry, all the way down the Diamond Creek.

-Travelling and Kayaking independently for 4 months in Chile, Argentina and Patagonia.

- Getting to Kayak to infamous Rio Baker in Southern Patagonia. Truly unbelievable.

- Placing 3rd in the FutaFest Downriver Race. A 7km (4.5 mile), mass start race that featured 47 racers in 2013. The 3rd year for the event.

- Tying with Nich Troutman for 2nd overall in the inaugural Ottawa XL. Coming 2nd in the boater cross and 3rd in freestyle earned me a spot on the podium and a place in this coming years Whitewater Grand Prix in Quebec!

Other hobbies: Photography, a good book or a nice guitar can keep me pretty busy. Between these, kayaking and long walks on the beach at sunset! There isn't time for much else.

What draws you to kayaking: The rivers, the waves, the drops, the freedom, the people, the lifestyle, the ability to travel. All these things combine to make it the best sport in the World!

Personal website or links: http://kokatat.com/team/paddlers/view/kalob-grady

http://predatorwatersports.wordpress.com/team/kalob-grady/

http://www.youtube.com/user/KalobGrady